FIFA say Hatem Ben Arfa cannot play for a third club in one season although Newcastle claim he did not play an official match

Paris, Jan 15 French winger Hatem Ben Arfa's move to Ligue 1 club OGC Nice has been halted by FIFA after the football's world governing body deemed him ineligible for a third team in one season.

FIFA, who hold the transfer regulations that a player cannot play for more than two clubs in the same season, Wednesday verified that the 27-year-old played once for Newcastle United's under-21 team prior to moving to Hull City on loan last September, reports Xinhua.

Nice coach Claude Puel is not concerned, however, saying that "for us, his eligibility is not in doubt".

"The English federation wrote to the French federation and to FIFA explaining that the match played by Hatem did not count towards official competition," Puel said.

Nice snapped up the French playmaker on a free transfer last week, following his release by Newcastle United from a pre-ended one-year loan.